– Elected to Access $200 Million on its Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility

– Withdraws 2020 Financial Guidance

– Adopts Limited Duration Shareholder Rights Plan

– Scott Thompson, Chairman and CEO, Extends Employment Contract

PR NewswireLEXINGTON, Ky., March 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — At Tempur Sealy International, Inc. (TPX) the health and safety of employees, customers, and all business partners is the utmost concern. The Company has taken and continues to take precautionary measures to mitigate health risks during the evolving situation resulting from the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”).

Scott Thompson, Tempur Sealy International Inc. Chairman and CEO said, “We have implemented measures to protect the health and safety of our employees, including restricting travel and face-to-face meetings, allowing individuals to work from home where possible, and adopting all region-specific public health protocols applicable to our operations around the world. While providing a healthy and safe work environment is our top priority during these unprecedented times, our entire organization is also focused on our commitments to our customers, suppliers, and shareholders. We are also working with various government and healthcare organizations to provide products and services in this time of crisis. For more than a decade, Tempur Sealy has donated tens of thousands of mattresses annually to charities and organizations in need across the country. For the immediate future, we are focusing all of the power of our philanthropic efforts on getting our products to governments, healthcare organizations and charities that have a need related to the pandemic.”

“Prior to the global COVID-19 health concerns, our iconic brands and products had been performing very well throughout the world. We had been experiencing growth in all markets and especially strong growth in North America, with over 30 percent growth compared to the first quarter of 2019. Most recent trends have shown very weak demand in the U.S. and Europe, with orders down over 50 percent versus the same period in the prior year. Following the slowdown in activity from the COVID-19, we have recently been experiencing improving trends in Asian markets with year-over-year growth in Korea, Japan, and Singapore and improving sequential growth in China. Based on the most current trends and current information, we are estimating the consolidated first quarter 2020 net sales to increase approximately 15 to 20 percent year-over-year.”

“Our business model has a highly variable cost structure, is broadly distributed geographically and is supported by an omni-channel approach. We will carry our strong operating momentum going into this downturn. We expect near-term profits to be significantly impacted but see our long-term competitive position strengthening through the downturn,” continued Thompson.

The Company also announced the actions to mitigate the near-term impact of the material slowdown in business activity while positioning the Company for the recovery period. The Company ceased all share repurchase activity once U.S. orders became negative as compared to the prior year, delayed certain capital projects, and canceled or suspended non-critical projects. Due to the rapidly-changing nature of this environment, the Company is withdrawing its previously-issued full-year financial guidance and will not provide updated full-year financial guidance until the operating environment becomes clear.

Additionally, to provide greater financial flexibility in response to the continued impact of COVID-19, the Company elected to hold $200 million of cash by borrowing on its revolving senior secured credit facility. Total remaining availability under that facility is at least $100 million and is drawable. The Company has no major loan maturities until 2023 and its senior secured credit facility matures in 2024.

https://seekingalpha.com/pr/17821143-tempur-sealy-market-update